Entry into Canada - Guests with Criminal Records

Published 03/11/2015 10:50 PM |
Updated 11/02/2017 03:41 PM

Entry into Canada is solely determined by Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) officials in accordance with Canadian law.

Anyone with a criminal record may be excluded and denied entry into Canada due to heightened security and enforcement. For this reason, more people with past criminal charges or convictions are refused entry into Canada. Almost all convictions (including DUI, DWI, reckless driving, negligent driving, misdemeanor drug possession, all felonies, shoplifting, theft, etc.) make a person inadmissible to Canada, regardless of how long ago they occurred.

It is recommended that persons who have been charged in the past or who have past convictions obtain the necessary documents before attempting to enter Canada. A waiver of exclusion may be issued but several weeks are required and a processing fee must be paid.